San Luis Obispo, Ca. — In keeping with the success of Linux open source code, Ziatech Corporation, a leading innovator of applied computing solutions, today announced the release of its multiprocessing source code drivers for the Linux operating system. The CompactNET source code will be free of charge and available for download from the Internet. The CompactNET technology provides network communication between multiple CPUs over a single CompactPCI (CPCI) backplane, allowing system designers to integrate multiple CompactPCI CPU boards using standard network protocols.

Ziatech is releasing the CompactNET source code drivers for Linux to foster the standard interoperability of CompactPCI multi-computing solutions from different vendors. This effort is designed to complement the work of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers' Group (PICMG) 2.14 Multi-Computing Sub-committee, chaired by Ziatech.

The reliability, openness, and cost-effectiveness of the Linux operating system make it ideal for embedded and applied computing applications in telecommunications, Internet and industrial control. The release of the CompactNET Linux code to the public domain provides a boost to designers looking to standardize their multi-computing efforts. Ziatech is hosting a new web site dedicated to open sourcing its multiprocessing technology, http://www.compactnet.com. This site provides information and allows the downloading of the CompactNET source code.

“The Linux community is all about the freedom of code”, said Greg Kopchinski, Product Manager for Ziatech Corporation. “People are now starting to notice how much open-source software is at the heart of the Internet infrastructure.” “Our customers have asked us to provide open-source code and we are doing so. We anticipate this trend toward open source software to swell, and we want to be on the forefront,” added Kopchinski.

According to Jim Eckford, Vice President of Marketing for Ziatech Corporation, “We have released this code to help support the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturer Group requirements for the upcoming PICMG 2.14 Specification. We fully intend to adhere to the specification requirements as they are being developed and to provide assistance to the PICMG committee members.”

Licensing of the source code will be conducted under the GNU General Public License. The general license applies to the copying, distribution and modification of the source code.